28+ Small Kitchen Storage Ideas
ID# 174309 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Lewis Alderson & Co.
Modern Kitchen Design with Hidden Storage Cabinets
This modern kitchen not only has a tranquil aesthetic design with heartwarming features but also is filled with ideas for functional design without compromising aesthetics. First, the wood cutting boards that are built inside the cabinets integrate beautiful details, enriching the gray modern cabinetry. Secondly, the bifold cabinet style of the upper wall unit provides a smooth opening system that leads to shelf units hosting small kitchen appliances and glassware. And the rest of the space is fitted with black countertops and backsplash that create a contrasting look and bring depth to the space.
ID# 174319 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Natalie Vershinina
Vertical Kitchen Rack with Potted Plants
Try vertical positioning if you don’t like the horizontal shelf units! The white vertical storage system in this modern kitchen adds more storage without detracting from the overall aesthetic. It fits well into the empty space between the peninsula and the wall. The traditional running bond design of the white subway tile backsplash provides a simple and classic background.
Small Kitchen Storage Ideas
Not all of us are lucky enough to have a sizeable kitchen where we can get multiple cabinets spanning the space while still leaving enough room to move around. But don’t despair if you have a small kitchen. With storage ideas for small kitchens, you can easily compensate for the lack of space. Small kitchen storage ideas focus on the interior design of the cabinets and efficient use of the countertops and see any bare wall or space as a potential storage space.
Create Functional Kitchen Spaces with Creative Storage Solutions
Knowing that not every kitchen is wide enough, designers also come up with small kitchen storage ideas and design cabinets accordingly to maximize storage space and use every inch of the kitchen to the fullest. From kitchen islands with viable models to utensil racks, pegboards, floating shelves, baskets, and ceiling-mounted racks, each of those additions is gathered under the category of small kitchen space storage ideas. Plus, in addition to them, alternative ideas for storage in small kitchens encompass double-duty pegboard backsplashes, plate racks on the sides of the cabinets, repurposed curtain rods, and rolling pantries. Yet, probably the best storage ideas for small kitchens are linked to the interior cabinets designed to pack everything in a certain order and in an accessible way.
Summing up, we all know that kitchens are the heart of our homes in need of designs with consummate functionality. And no one would feel motivated to cook in a chaotic place, especially in a small kitchen. That being said, considering how much we need to keep up with the updated kitchen storage ideas, here we gathered over 30 small kitchen storage ideas that will spark your imagination for your kitchen storage ideas for small kitchens.
ID# 174301 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Day True
Small Kitchen Storage Ideas in Contemporary Kitchen with Blue Cabinets
The storage sections of the cabinets dictate how one can organize stuff efficiently to save more space and keep the countertops clutter-free. That’s why what demands attention as much as how the exterior design of the cabinets should look and come together with the existing narrative design is the interior design of the cabinets. In this contemporary kitchen, for example, the oversized cabinet has plenty of pull-out drawers that provide convenient use for kitchen users. Plus, it is a smart addition to keep the interior and exterior design in two different colors since the wood interior allows for easy spotting of the items searched for.
Best Seller Mosaic Tiles
ID# 174302 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Blended Interiors
Light Blue Cabinets with Brass Hardware and White Countertops
In this transitional kitchen, the blue cabinets punctuated by brass hardware set the tone of the kitchen with the white countertops. The upper wall cabinets and wood open shelving make great additions to optimize space within the kitchen without compromising the aesthetics in the meantime. Plus, the white subway tile backsplash adds a soft aesthetic feature, creating a timeless backdrop for a healthy dose of characteristic touches.
How to add more storage to the small kitchen?
Any space in your kitchen could be turned into a storage space, but the important part is to create the right balance to avoid any clutter. For example, if you have empty walls, you can install hooks and hang your cutting boards, dry leaves, and other kitchen utensils that will also personalize your bare walls. Or you can just install pegboards available in a wide range of colors that bring a modern and contemporary voice to your kitchen.
Secondly, you can store some of your stuff on the countertops as well, especially the ones you frequently use while cooking. You can place a lazy Susan, a tiered basket, or a shelf riser in some corner and put your spices and sauces on it for convenient accessibility.
Wicker baskets placed on the floor could also pack some of your stuff and introduce a nice texture at the same time. Also, if your upper wall units don’t reach the ceiling, you can use the top of the upper cabinets to store some of the non-used items in wicker baskets.
ID# 174303 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Ashton Renovations
Small Kitchen Storage Ideas with Navy-blue Cabinets and White Countertops
This lovely wall-mounted kitchen rack doubles as a dry home bar and holds a ton of vibrant bottles that give the kitchen a splash of flare. Below, the navy-blue cabinets with black hardware are anchored by the white countertops on top. The kitchen rack stands out more because of the continuous appearance that the white counters and white walls produce!
White Mosaic Tiles
ID# 174304 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Студия Татьяны Архиповой
Ceiling-hung Shelving System with Black Details
If you want to add extra storage and also aim to use it as an aesthetic decorative addition, why not try one of those ceiling-hung rails? You can take cues from the other design features and match the rail’s material to the rest to achieve a visual continuum. This modern small kitchen, for example, puts its shelving system into dialogue with the eye-catching steel hood, while the ceiling-height white and black patterned backsplash peeks out behind these statement features to create an eye-catching background. On the sides of the hood, what accompanies them are also the picture frames and colorful kitchen items. These standout features stylize the main design frame of the kitchen constituted by the white cabinets and gray countertops.
How to maximize storage in a small kitchen?
To maximize storage in a small kitchen, just focus on the negative spaces and how you can integrate them into the kitchen as a usable area. For example, you can start with windowsills that can offer an alternative storage place. You can display your kitchen plants, cookbooks, personal accessories, and some kitchen utensils on the windowsills. Likewise, over-the-door cabinets could make fantastic additions if you would like to expand your storage space.
Secondly, backsplashes can effortlessly turn into storage with a pegboard and utensil rack. The same goes for the ceilings. You can drop down the pot racks over the kitchen islands, which especially work well in farmhouse and cottage-style kitchens. But if you love industrial looks, you can replace them with suspended shelves.
Creative Storage Solutions
And of course, thirdly, kitchen islands are another popular option when the aim is to maximize storage. Today’s market offers a variety of viable island models that can pack a lot of stuff with drawers, typical cabinet bases, and open cabinet shelves. Of course, with custom-designed ones, you can make them more efficient and more adapted to the layout.
Apart from those, ladder shelves, freestanding cabinets, and floating shelves fitted into the small corners, including corner shelves, could serve as other alternatives to make efficient use of every negative space.
ID# 174305 | Houzz.com – Credit | © ARTUP BUREAU
Small Kitchen Storage Ideas with Subway Tile Backsplash and White Cabinets
This white dominant kitchen uses white for a sacred reason: to make the space look more sizeable and brighter! This way, it compensates for its smallness and it does so without overwhelming the space with cabinets and an open shelving unit. To accentuate the white cabinets and shelves, the walls are clad in with a concrete look paint!
How Do I Add Storage to My Small Kitchen?
Storage solutions range from built-in pantries to utensil racks, pegboards, racks on the sides of the cabinets, rolling pantries near fridges, and floating shelves. Now let’s take a closer look at each one of them.
Small Kitchen Pantry Storage
Small kitchens generally have L-shaped and U-shaped layouts which leave them with corner cabinets. And to make use of these corners to the maximum, you can integrate sliding racks to create a more user-friendly option. Likewise, pull-out larders and slim and tall cabinets with roll-out options can create small kitchen pantry storage. Additionally, if you have any alcoves, you can transform them into small kitchen pantry storage and hide them via a sliding door or a curtain.
ID# 174306 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Interior360
Small Kitchen Storage Ideas with Modern Black Cabinets
This contemporary kitchen is outfitted with clean-line cabinetry and sleek built-in appliances that constitute a super-neat and well-groomed look on the outside. Yet, the best part is the cabinet interior design which is as clean and efficient as the exterior, thanks to the small kitchen pantry storage solutions. The metal multi-tiered storage consists of five sections installed with a railing system. With this smart addition, spices, glass containers, unperishable items, and pasta packages find a place for themselves, offering convenient use for kitchen users.
How to design storage in a small kitchen?
To design storage in a small kitchen, you can benefit from pull-out drawers, roll-out shelves, wicker baskets, and rolling pantries integrated into the cabinets for consummate functionality. The built-in shelves inside the cabinets can keep your electronic appliances in one spot. You can also get cubbies that will help you gain better organizational skills. Overall, dividing slim cabinets into sections fixes most of the storage problems and gives you little compartments you can navigate as you wish.
ID# 174307 | Houzz.com – Credit | © PlaceDesign Kitchens and Interiors
Modern Kitchen with Custom-Design Cabinetry
Not every kitchen is lucky enough to have a pantry. And when that’s the case, you can just create your version just like this kitchen does. Here the custom-design cabinetry consists of blue and black cabinets which turns into a multi-functional pantry when you pull it out. This thoughtful addition comprises shelves and hanging racks to fit boxes, sauces, and snacks for efficient use.
Small Kitchen Storage Cabinet
Since small kitchens don’t allow for numerous cabinets, it is a must to use the available ones to the maximum! And to achieve that, the interior of the cabinets is nowadays designed to provide different compartments of various sizes. Some also come with roll-out options, shelves, and cubbies, which offer a user-friendly design.
ID# 174308 | Houzz.com – Credit
Small Kitchen Storage Ideas with Black Cabinets and Backsplash
This thought-invested small kitchen storage cabinet feels like a secret storage space that keeps baking gadgets, cookbooks, and measuring cops within arm’s reach. The shelves and cubbies help with better organization, allowing each piece to have its specific place. And when you close the doors of the storage cabinet, what welcomes you is a uniform look with black cabinets punctuated by black granite backsplash and countertops, presenting an elegant design.
How do you organize a small kitchen with a few cabinets?
You can start by using the sides of the cabinets like pockets. If there is any space left around the fridge, you can get a custom-design rolling pantry to store your canned goods, snacks, and spices. You can also work around the island units if you have one. Rolling cart islands could be another alternative. Additionally, repurposed curtain rods can be installed in front of an unused window. And floating shelves also stand out as a good substitute for cabinets.
ID# 174310 | Houzz.com – Credit
Small Kitchen Storage Ideas with Secret Drawers
Given that kitchens are the heart of our homes, a viable design is a must, and achieving that comes with good organizing skills and well-designed cabinetries. Here the secret drawers attached to the range hood seem like a great solution to optimize the small kitchen layout, keeping the spice jars or small containers well-organized and separated according to their functions. And when they are all recessed and the door is closed, it all feels neat and clean within the white cabinets.
Open Shelves
Also known as floating and cantilevered shelves, open shelves are very practical additions to bring depth and character to the walls. Since they are open, they don’t encroach on the space, unlike the upper cabinets. But they rather provide more breathable space, which is important in small kitchens. Available in timber, glass, metal, and more, they are also highly customizable. And depending on their thickness and material, they can hold up a good amount of kitchen items. But the key point is that just because they can take heavy weights, don’t fill every single spot on them, which will cause clutter and result in a chaotic look on the shelves.
ID# 174311 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Honest Kitchens
Burgundy Cabinets with Brass Backsplash and Wood Open Shelving
This contemporary kitchen is outfitted with burgundy shaker cabinets that colonize the walls. The timber floating shelves installed on the corner side add extra coziness and homeliness while also channeling a sense of warmth. They are filled with mason jars, glass containers, and spices that give clues about the cooking habits of kitchen users. The brass backsplash sheet behind the stove creates a focal point that adds a dose of glam to the space.
ID# 174312 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Князева Вероника /студия “ProIntDesign”
Soothing Kitchen Design with White Cabinets and Blue Backsplash
This soul-appeasing kitchen owes its soothing look to the kitchen backsplash which consists of blue subway tiles for the lower parts and the exposed brick wall for the uppers. To maximize storage space, the wall units reach the ceiling, adding to the grandness of the kitchen. The circular stainless steel range hood builds extra interest to bring intriguing aesthetics while the green counter chairs perfectly complement the quirky overall look.
How do you organize a small kitchen counter space?
Lazy Susan, utensil racks, baskets, a cake holder, wicker trays, and shelf risers help you organize a small kitchen counter space. Plus, over-the-sink cutting boards also serve as an ingenious fix to save some space on the countertops for other items and gadgets.
ID# 174313 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Play Associates
Green Kitchen Cabinets with Terrazzo Backsplash and Countertops
When you have a small kitchen, you wouldn’t want to overwhelm it with an abundance of wall units, and thus would just let go of upper cabinetry. And while replacing them, you can choose another storage solution, which is a floating shelf, just like this kitchen does. Capitalizing on its high ceiling, it deploys a duo of floating shelves. They house candles, synthetic flowers, glassware, and anything you can imagine, adding nice personal touches to the wall. Right below, green cabinets with gold accents, terrazzo backsplash, and countertops accompany them, resulting in a well-balanced look. And this soothing look just blends perfectly with the wood herringbone floor that lends enough warmth to the space.
ID# 174314 | Houzz.com – Credit | © FOHR DESIGN STUDIO INC.
Timber Floating Shelves and Cabinets with Stacked Backsplash
Nothing would suit this accent wall better than a trio of timber floating shelves, while white ceramic tile stacked backsplash just peeks out behind them. The shelves expose the beautiful kitchenware organized nicely, and below, the white quartz countertops create a seamless look with the full-height backsplash.
ID# 174315 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Юлия Кирпичева
All-White Kitchen with Colorful Backsplash Tiles and Gray Countertops
This all-white kitchen is ready to make you feel as if it is always summer! From the white cabinets to the white floating shelves, it all comes together as part of a spacious kitchen. The white floating shelves create a seamless look with the white walls adding a gentle touch that feels barely there but still looks sophisticated. The real showstopper is the colorful backsplash that instantly elevates this otherwise all-white kitchen!
ID# 174316 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Kenmore Homes
Small Kitchen Storage Ideas with Black Cabinets and White Subway Tile Backsplash
This transitional kitchen offers consummate functionality with custom-designed cabinetry that consists of shaker style cabinet doors and floating shelves that serve multiple purposes. You can put your spices, jars and containers into a certain order!
Kitchen Racks
Kitchen racks are especially helpful in organizing counter spaces by creating extra storage on the walls. These racks are particularly popular in shabby chic, country and traditional kitchens, but nowadays their modern versions are also available, which are suitable for contemporary kitchens. For example, ladder shelves are popular in modern Nordic aesthetics, making great additions for better organization and adding a punch of character!
ID# 174317 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Line Design Studio
Small Kitchen Storage Ideas with Black Cabinets and Red Backsplash
This soothing tiny kitchen has plenty of storage forms that enrich the kitchen’s furniture vocabulary, from the black cabinets to wood drawers and white racks above the red backsplash. These additions bring a dash of character and create a lived-in feel rather than something distant and too-organized. To achieve consistency, the white countertops are brought into dialogue, while the white-painted walls and ceiling provide a bright and spacious atmosphere.
ID# 174318 | Houzz.com – Credit
Contemporary Kitchen with Black Hexagon Tile Backsplash
This kitchen prides itself on the stunning black backsplash that consists of large-format hexagon tiles in large formats! These tiles reach up to the ceiling to achieve full impact, punctuated by a wall-mounted kitchen rack. Adding to them are the white cabinets, gray countertops, and concrete island that create a well articulated industrial flair. The dark wood floor brings a dose of warmth.
Marble Mosaic Tiles
ID# 174320 | Houzz.com – Credit | © INT2architecture
Modern Industrial Kitchen with Chalkboard-painted Wall
If you are feeling a little bit adventurous, chalkboard paint will help you to reflect your imagination on the kitchen walls! As you can see in this modern industrial kitchen, the chalkboard-painted wall creates an accent while the wall-mounted rack unit dedicated to spice jars acts as a piece of art and enhances visual interest. The dark wood open shelves along the gray cabinets with wood countertops also provide additional storage space without feeling claustrophobic.
Hanging Pot and Utensil Racks
Backsplashes and ceilings can serve as alternative spots to propose different storage solutions. For example, hanging pot and utensil racks generally installed on the stove backsplash provide a practical storage option and keep frequently needed items at your fingertips. But if you wish, you can also mount rounded hanging pot racks to the ceiling and drop them down over the island to build extra and interest overhead.
ID# 174321 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Gillian Jackson – Jackson Photography & Design
Unique Range Hood Design with Hanging Pots
This mid-century-inspired kitchen pays homage to the warm shades with a dedicated assortment of dark blue cabinets topped by white quartz countertops. Yet, the protagonist of the design stands out to be an eye-catching range hood design, paired with utensil racks hosting copper pots that add a splash of color and character to the backdrop.
ID# 174322 | Houzz.com – Credit | © INT2architecture
Small Kitchen Storage Solutions with Utensil Racks and Floating Shelf
If you love splashes of colors without them feeling over the top, this rustic industrial kitchen manages to integrate dark blue shades in a harmonious way. The dark blue-painted wall provides a sleek backdrop. The wall-mounted utensil racks and floating shelves on the blue base add a nice nuanced detail. The stainless steel kitchen cabinets and appliances perfectly reflect the edgy feel of the industrial style. For a final touch, the clear glass sheet backsplash behind the stove adds a protective layer without breaking the design flow.
How can I store things in my kitchen without drawers?
If you don’t have drawers, don’t despair. There are millions of ways to compensate for that. First of all, you can consider double-duty backsplashes such as a stainless-steel pegboard backsplash. They can be used both to hang some kitchen utensils and protect the walls from food spills and splatters.
Secondly, you can attach some utensils to the interior part of the cabinet doors. And in a similar mindset, wall-plate racks attached to the sides of the cabinets are another alternative for smart storage solutions. Plus, if you wish, you can create your own drawers by using desktop drawers and containers and building little compartments inside the cabinets. Likewise, cutlery caddies are very helpful in separating forks, spoons, and knives, which you can keep on countertops.
ID# 174323 | Houzz.com – Credit
Light Green Kitchen Cabinets with White Apron Front Sink
In this cozy kitchen, you can just immerse yourself in the soothing pastel shades of the cabinets and white marble countertops. Above, the wall-to-wall utensil rack ditches the upper wall cabinetry, owning the entire wall, which also provides a lot of breathing space for the kitchen. And personal items distributed here and there inject life into the kitchen. The brass accents and the apron front kitchen sink add homeliness.
Small Kitchen Island with Storage
Designed to be entirely functional, small kitchen islands offer alternative storage opportunities, available in multiple design possibilities with drawers, open cabinet shelves, and a basic cabinet base! And you can use all these sections to your advantage. For example, open cabinet shelves can display your cookbooks, kitchen plants, and baskets while the cabinet base can accommodate your fragile glassware. Plus, since an island unit is a freestanding element, it offers more flexibility. Particularly, portable ones such as rolling island carts can be transferred to different parts of the kitchen when needed.
ID# 174324 | Houzz.com – Credit
Small Kitchen Island with Storage and Dining Space
This small kitchen island is rigorously proportioned to the kitchen’s compact square footage. It is placed next to the dining table so that it can serve as a separate unit between the open-concept kitchen and living space. Making it more functional is one of its sides kept wide to create shelves for extra storage.
Slate Mosaic Tiles
ID# 174325 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Improva
Dark Navy Island with Butcher Block Countertop and Small Kitchen Storage Ideas
This cute dark navy peninsula poses against a white backdrop decorated with flat panel cabinetry. Harmonizing perfectly with the rest, it is topped by a white quartz countertop and paired with wooden open shelves! Though small, it features plenty of drawers, cabinets, and open shelves that provide alternative storage opportunities in multiple ways!
How should I arrange my kitchen items?
The pegboards, ceiling-mounted pot tacks, utensil racks, hooks, floating shelves, and kitchen islands are some of the most popular storage solutions that help you arrange your kitchen items. Plus, if you have the budget, you can get custom-design cabinetry that will cater to the daily needs of your space. Also, keep in mind that the interior design of the cabinets is important, dictating how you can organize your stuff. That’s why try to get cabinets with high performance and designed with state-of-art technology. Generally, drawer-based designs help better, so you can try to go with drawer cabinets and roll-out options for easy navigation.
ID# 174326 | Houzz.com – Credit | © Артюхина Екатерина
Wood Kitchen Island with Built-in Wine Racks
Kitchen islands just like other kitchen furniture have been transforming and getting more and more functional to adjust themselves to small kitchens as well. This one, for example, has built-in wine racks and serves as a breakfast bar. The ceiling-mounted racks for wine glasses deliver extra interest to the island. The dark wood color of the island adds a touch of rustic flair to this modern space which consists of dark blue cabinets, black countertops, and glass sheet backsplash.
Small Kitchen Appliance Storage
Do you prefer a monochrome look and believe built-in appliances obstruct your space, you can effortlessly construct compact kitchen appliance storage to house your seldom utilized equipment inside a cabinet! By doing this, you may make your tiny kitchen appear clutter-free and create the impression that it is larger!
ID# 174327 | Houzz.com – Credit
Small Kitchen Appliance Storage with White Display Cabinets and Chrome Hardware
There’s something quiet and peaceful about this all-white kitchen’s decor! In order to maintain the uniform appearance, tiny appliances are hidden from view and kept in storage within the glass-front cabinets which allow users to see inside. To avoid an abrupt appearance, the wood floor is the only thing that gives warmth!
ID# 174328 | Houzz.com – Credit
Small Kitchen Storage Ideas with Hidden Appliance Cabinets
Even though you have a compact kitchen, it doesn’t mean that you can’t create a clutter-free space. With clever cabinet solutions, you can hide even your small appliances and provide a sleek design! As you can see in this modern kitchen which consists of two-tone cabinetry and white quartz countertops, the addition of a folding door for the cabinets above the counter space offer a functional design.
